$94,000 for Town Hall

PLANNING Minister Matthew Guy announced a $94,000 heritage grant for Warracknabeal Town Hall yesterday, which was heritage listed in 2009.
The grant will allow Warracknabeal Town Hall Committee to re-glaze the front windows in the old council chambers, re-paint the council chambers and rewire the building.
Visiting the hall to inspect the plans works, Mr Guy said the urgent works would ensure the conservation of an important civic building and enable increased community use of the building.
Warracknabeal Town Hall, including the Regent Theatre, was built in a highly distinctive moderne style in 1939-40. It was opened on April 23 1940 by Sir George Goudie Member for North-Western Province at the time.
The asymmetrically composed building with clock tower, is of cream brick with steel-framed windows, contrasting dark tiles and concrete lettering.
A committee of management was appointed in 1998 and it has since been used for community purposes on a reasonably regular basis.
A shire grant has enabled roof replacement and other works are also being undertaken with insurance money received because of flood damage.
Important
Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh said Warracknabeal Town Hall was important to district residents and an icon of the town’s history.
“I can’t express how pleased I am to see this much appreciated and characteristic building receiving much needed works to ensure its preservation for future community activities and appreciation,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Guy said the grant was one of 13 community projects around Victoria being funded to preserve and protect significant heritage places and objects.
He said Victoria’s Heritage Grants supported rural communities to care for and manage the state’s rich and diverse heritage, with this year’s program totalling $1.13 million.
Mr Guy said the grants recognised and supported the enthusiasm and commitment of many dedicated volunteer organisations which worked to preserve and safeguard our shared history.
“The purpose of these grants is to see these buildings brought back to being a community asset. Congratulations to Warracknabeal Town Hall Committee and everyone who has worked on restoring such a magnificent building,”he said.
Victoria’s Heritage Grants support the repair and restoration of publicly accessible and important heritage places and objects managed by local government and community not-for-profit organisations and are provided for places in the Victorian Heritage Register or included in a Heritage Overlay.
Mecca
Warracknabeal Town Hall Committee chairman Gordon Clyne said: “During it’s ‘heyday’ the town hall was a mecca for entertainment, which included fortnightly ballroom dances, the Victorian Annual Broadcast Competition, and wedding receptions hosted in both the auditorium and the supper room,” he said.
“Films were another major attraction, currently the town hall is used for many occasions such as Warracknabeal combined schools ‘Festival for Healthy Living’ program, ‘Bogan Bingo’ and many private functions, with the upcoming Debutante ball to be held in the main auditorium and the supper room being booked on a regular basis,” Mr Clyne said.
“The committee of management has continued to upgrade facilities both upstairs and downstairs with help from Federal and State Government grants and a public appeal some years ago.”
Diverse
Mr Guy said Country Victoria is the best place to be, with such diverse landscapes, it doesn’t matter whether you are on the coast, in the Grampians or in the Wimmera Mallee, there is always something wonderful to see and do, such as a wonderful building like Warracknabeal Town Hall or the Murtoa Stick Shed.”
Local Member for the Upper House Simon Ramsay said: “Visiting the Town Hall today, it is easy to see why the preservation of this building appeals to those who live in the area. I look forward to seeing the further community use of this building in the way it was intended for at its establishment more than 70 years ago.”
Warracknabeal Town Hall Committee secretary Jenny Taylor said it was exciting to have received this grant and with Yarriambiack Shire having funds set aside to complete the Jarrah flooring in the auditorium, they were getting closer to seeing the completion of the building.
“We are looking at ways to raise money to reupholster the seats in the upstairs auditorium, which is going to be expensive. We have had a quote and it is expected to cost $280 per seat, plus about $5000 for fabric,” she said.
Mr Clyne said he was overwhelmed by receiving such a wonderful grant: “We have limited money and we make the most of it.